HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4567-B Staff AnalysisAUGUST 27, 2007
ITEM NO.:
File No.: Z -4567-B
Owner: St. Mark Baptist Church
Applicant: Jason D. Ray
Address: 5722 W. 12th Street
Description: North side of W. 12th Street, three (3) blocks east of S. University Avenue
Zoned: R -2/C-3
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the sign provisions of Section 36-
557 to allow permanent use of banner signs.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Church
Proposed Use of Property: Church
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments
B. Staff Analysis:
The R -2/C-3 zoned property at 5722 W. 12th Street is occupied by the St. Mark
Baptist Church campus. The existing church campus consists of three (3)
buildings located along the east half of the property, with paved parking within
the west half of the site. There is an access drive from W. 12th Street at the
southwest corner of the property and a drive from W. 10th Street at the
northeast corner of the site.
The applicant is proposing the permanent placement of banner signs on 19
existing light poles throughout the church campus. The majority of the light
poles are located within and adjacent to the parking area within the west half of
the property, with additional poles around the main (center) church sanctuary
building. The proposed banner signs will be 24 inches by 30 inches in size.
Each banner will contain the church logo and message relating to a church
AUGUST 27, 2007
ITEM NO.: 1 (CON'T.)
activity, project, campaign, etc. The applicant notes that banners will not be
placed in an area that could cause distraction or obstruction to vehicular traffic.
Section 36-557(d) of the City's Zoning Ordinance limits the placement of
banner signs to four (4) events in a calendar year, with a limit of six (6) weeks
per event, for a total of 24 weeks. The applicant is requesting that the banners
be allowed to remain up at this location on a year-round basis.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance to allow permanent use of banner
signs by St. Mark Baptist Church at 5722 W. 12th Street. Staff believes the
request to be reasonable. Similar variances were approved in the past for
commercial shopping center developments in the Chenal Parkway area. The
permanent use of banner signs at these previously approved locations seems
to have worked very well with no problems to staff's knowledge. Staff also
believes the banner sign concept will work well at this church location and
should have no adverse impact on the general area.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the variance to allow permanent
placement/year-round use of banner signs at 5722 W. 12th Street, subject to
the following conditions:
1. The banner signs are for the identification of the church and church
programs only.
2. The banner signs are to be attached only to the light poles within the
church campus, with limitation of the size and number of signs as
described in the "Staff Analysis."
3. Any banner sign that becomes torn or damaged must be promptly
removed.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(AUGUST 27, 2007)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
item and a recommendation of approval.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
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REACHING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
Department of Planning and Development
Board of Adjustments
City Of Little Rock
723 West Markham
Little Rock, AR
Re: Application for Zoning Variance (Signs)
Friday, July 27, 2007
Dear Board of Adjustments,
St. Mark Baptist Church is requesting a variance of the sign ordinance to allow outside
banners on the churches parking -lot lanterns. Per your request, enclosed you will find the
application, sight view showing sign locations, and a copy of the sign design. As stated,
the lanterns are owned by St. Mark and are on St. Mark property. Please be advised that
the site plan will show with green marks where each pole is located and where the
banners will be placed. We are proposing to put a total of 19 banners around our campus.
The banner size is 24" x 30". You can also find the graphic design of our campaign logo,
which will be displayed on the banners.
We are embarking upon a large Capital Campaign here at St. Mark, what a better way to
keep our campaign theme before the membership than to place reminders in our parking
lot as done at various locations around the city with other organizations. The banners will
not be placed in an area that causes distractions or obstructions to street traffic. We thank
you for your assistance and if there is anything else that you may need please feel free to
give me a call at 663-3955, ext. 239.
Sincerely,
C; ason D. Ray
Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer
Bishop Steven M. Arnold - Senior Pastor
5722 W. 12th Street - Little Rock, AR 72204 - WWW.SA4ARKORG - 501-663-3955 - 501-707-0334 FAX